Allen tapped to fill South Hill Council vacancy

South Hill Town Council welcomed South Hill native and local business owner Glenn Allen aboard at Monday’s monthly meeting.

Allen will fill the seat of Woodrow Kidd who passed away June 1. Kidd was a longtime member of the South Hill council.

Allen, along with other candidates sought out the seat, which serves Ward-3. The two-year team will have Allen with council until, June 30, 2016.

South Hill Town Manager, Kim Callis said council was fortunate to have several qualified candidates to choose from.

“I think the Town was fortunate to have several qualified candidates for the position,” Callis said.

Callis noted that speaking from a Town Manager’s perspective, he looked forward to working with Councilman Allen on the various projects and issues council and the town share and face together.

Allen said he felt fortunate to have been selected and looked forward to being a part of a great team. He stated that being a member of the Town Council was something he had considered for quite some time.

“Well it’s something I’ve thought about for a longtime,” said Allen.

Allen said when the opportunity came available for a two-year term, “Because of the unfortunate loss of Woody (Kidd),” he felt the opportunity and timing could be right for him.

Allen had several close friends encourage him to seek the position. And he said it was that encouragement that helped to solidify his decision.

“I was glad that not only did my friends believe I could do the job but also the present council members,” he said.

Allen made the point that he has always been a volunteer in the community. Expressing that he has always done what he could for the community – And would continue to do so to the best of his ability with council.

“I hope to see both sides of anything we discuss,” he said thoughtfully. “I know the decisions that council makes effects not only the local government but the citizens.

“I just want to do the best I can,” Allen concluded.

Allen and his wife, Robin own and operate Dogwood Graphics located in South Hill, which they founded in 1990.

Council’s newest member is a 1972 graduate of Park View High School and a 1976 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Allen has been a member of several committees related to the town. He served on the South Hill Parks and Recreation Committee from 2010-2015; He is a Past President of the South Hill Revitalization Committee, as well as serving on the South Hill Centennial Committee.

A 2003 class member of the Leadership Mecklenburg program, Allen has also held several positions with South Hill Masonic Lodge and is a Past President of the South Hill Shrine Club.

A former Director for The Breadbox, Allen knows first hand some of the struggles, the community faces.

Allen is a member of The All Saints Episcopal Church and The South Hill Chamber of Commerce.